Hockey-stick.



N. T. FOGG.

HOCKEY S APPLICATION FILED 1915.

1,143,376. Patented June 15, 1915.

Fig.2.

3. Fig.4.

Witnesses.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NEWELL '1. FOGG, OF SANFORD, MAINE.

HOCKEY-STICK.

Application filed February 5, 1915.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NEWELL T. Foes, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sanford, county of York, State of Maine, have invented an Improvement in Hockey-Sticks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to a novel construction of a hockey stick such as is used by ice skaters. A stick of this general form is employed in playing the well known game of ice hockey. It is also common for one to carry such a. stick when skating though not indulging in the game mentioned. Numerous accidents and fatalities constantly occur among the many devotees of this pastime in the higher latitudes through sudden breaking of the ice surface, or through the hidden dangers of air holes or rotted or weakened ice with the resultant precipitation of the skaters into the icy waters. Due to the fact that the ice surrounding such a break is usually cracked and weakened and of insufficient thickness and strength to hold others desirous of accomplishing rescue, it is com- .mon to attempt the extrication of the immersed skater by forming a chain of prostrate human bodies or by obtaining and throwing thereto a coil of rope, or by similar devices, which obviate the necessity for a person to approach unaided the hole or break. Such tactics entail delays which often prevent ultimate rescue, especially, where the ice is formed over running water and the immersed skater passes underneath the ice, or where he is unable to swim or keep afloat in the numbing water.

The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a hockey stick, similar to those commonly carried by ice skaters, with a life saving meansa life line attachment.

Another object is to construct such an improved hockey stick having a life line attachment which is carried on the stick in such manner as to form an improved handle or grip therefor.

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved hockey stick with life-line attachment; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the hockey stick with the line removed; Fig. 3 is a sec- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1915.

Serial No. 6,343.

tion on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

The improved hockey stick, which is substantially of the configuration shown in the accompanying drawings and is preferably constructed of a hard wood, has a shaft 1 which terminates at its lower end in a blade 2 of conventional contour. This improved stick is provided with a life line attachment which is associated with the handle and is so secured on the stick that it does not interfere with its ordinary playing qualities, yet, when necessity arises, one end of the line can be quickly detached, the stick thrown and the unreeling line function as a life line. In this selected embodiment, provision is made against interfering with the customary use of the stick by the reduced portion 3 on which the life line or cord 5 is adapted to be helically wound. This portion 3 is illustrated as extending from the tip 4: substantially past the midway point of the shaft. This cord is wound thereon in close, compact spirals 6 which afford even a better gripping handle than the usual smooth shaft. One end of the cord 5 is securely affixed to the tip 4 so that when the stick is thrown and one end held in the hand, the other end of the unreeling cord will be carried by the stick. As shown in the accompanying drawings, this is accomplished by boring an aperture 7 through the tip 4 and cutting grooves 8 and 9, each leading from the reduced portion 3 to one end of the aperture. The end 10 of the cord is threaded through the aperture 7, placed in the channel. 8 and suitably fastened to the stick as by a nail 11; the remainder of the cord is then placed Within the groove 9 and then passed under a staple 12 driven into the stick at the juncture of the tip 4 and the reduced portion 3. A secure fastening of this upper end is thus assured and, as the cord is substantially countersunk, a symmetrical hockey stick with an efiicient grip is presented. The cord, after passing under the staple 12 is spirally wound around the shaft to the end of the reduced portion 3. This lower end of the cord 5 may be secured to the shaft and be detached by cutting. but, preferably this end is so affixed that it may be more expeditiously detached. In this selected embodiment. this quickly detachable fastening is provided by means of an aperture 13 bored in the shaft of the stick adiacent the termination of the reduced portion which aperture has a groove 1&- leading thereto from such portion. This lower end of the cord is placed within the groove, directed to the aperture 13, passed therethrough and, emergent on the other side of the shaft, is passed under a staple 15 which thus detachably secures this end.

The manipulation of the life-line is simple, rapid and certain, fulfilling its function a few seconds after an accident when time is a prime factor. When it is necessary to achieve the rescue of one who has broken through the ice into water, the end of the cord is easily withdrawn from the staple 15, quickly pulled through the aperture 13 and, with the stick dropped from the hand, is speedily unwound, hen, while the rescuer retains hold of the line end, the stick is.

thrown to the one who has broken through and, with the stick held by the rescued, the rescuer pulls him out of the water to weight supporting ice or to term firms. The line may be easily re'wound to normal position on the reduced portion and the game quickly resumed.

It is to be noted that, as the life line is helically wound in close compact spirals, fifty feet may be easily secured on the reduced portion without unduly increasing the size of the handle or interfering in the slightest manner with the ordinary use of the stick. As a matter of fact, it is well known tha such an even countersunk winding on handles affords a better grip or sur- .1: .1 N T race tnan a plain smooth surface. While small rope, wire, leather thongs or similar lines may be employed, it is preferred to use a smooth stout cord. Further, both ends of the cord may be permanently secured to the stick and one end he cut by a knife when it is desired to avail oneself of the life saving function of this improved stick, but, preferably, for obvious reasons, it is used with one end so secured to the stick as to be easily and readily removable.

It is to be understood that the construc tion disclosed herein is illustrated but not restrictive and that the same may be modified within the meaning and scope of the claims which follow.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a hockey stick, a

line l elically wound thereon, one line end being retentively secured to said stick and the other line end being detachably secured to said stick whereby when the latter end is held the stick may be projected to effect a rescue.

Q. The combination of a hockey stick, a shaft and a driving blade, a. reduced portion on said shaft, a line helically wound in close, compact spirals on said portion, a grip formed by said helically wound line, means for retentively securing one line end to said stick, means for removably securing the other line end to said stick, whereby said stick may be used as a hockey stick and as a life saving means.

3. The combination of a hockey stick, a shaft and a driving blade, a reduced portion on said shaft, a line helically wound on said portion, the top section of said shaft having an aperture therethrough, grooves connecting the ends of said aperture to said reduced portion whereby a countersunk retentive holding of one line end is effected and means for detachably securing the other line end adjacent the driving blade whereby said stick may be used as a hockey stick and as a life-savingmeans.

i. The combination of a hockey stick, a shaft and a driving blade, a reduced portion on said shaft, a line helically wound on said portion, one end of said line being retentively affixed to said shaft and a groove leading from said reduced portion to one end of an aperture in said shaft and a staple on said shaft adjacent the other end of said aperture adapted detachably to hold the other end of said line whereby said stick may be used as a hockey stick and as a life saving means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

EVERLYN ROGERS, HIRAM WILLARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

